Palm Coast, Florida

Profile

Palm Coast (population 50,000) is located along the northeast coast of Florida, 25 miles south of St. Augustine. It is situated with its eastern boundary alongside the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This new city, incorporated in 1999, was originally intended as a retirement community with 42,000 building sites for single-family homes. It is known for its many salt water and freshwater canals with direct access onto the Intracoastal Canal (a part of the Intracoastal System). http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/

The city has an attractive natural setting with many large oaks and lush growth. It has an abundance of recreation opportunities including eight great golf courses, plus tennis, jogging and walking trails. There are also a number of parks within the city where you can enjoy nature and have a picnic lunch. In addition, you’ll find a number of fine restaurants and several shopping centers.

Few locations in the state of Florida are very far away from amenities, cultural activities, or even the beaches – and Palm Coast is no exception. St. Augustine, which is a small, historic city, has a civic theater, and many shops and eating establishments that are supported by its very large tourist population. More than 50 golf courses, including layouts by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jerry Pate, and Robert Trent Jones are also nearby.

While Palm Coast is not directly on the coast, it is close to miles and miles of pristine sand beaches, and there is plenty of public access. Daytona Beach, which is 30 miles south, is a culture-rich city, with nightclubs, entertainment, cultural activities, and many special events and festivals. It is also the home of the Daytona International Speedway. Between 2000 and 2003, Flagler County was the fastest growing county in all of Florida, and its record growth is expected to continue.

Ocean Center, Daytona’s convention center, is host to a wide variety of events including numerous concerts throughout the year. http://www.oceancenter.com/

Peabody Auditorium is a 2,500-seat facility that is host to the Daytona Symphony, Daytona Beach Civic Ballet, Concert Showcase and the London Symphony Orchestra during the Florida International Festival each summer. http://echotourism.com/cultural/peabody.htm

Recreation

There are eight golf courses in the city and many more within easy driving distance. The city has more than 400 acres of park lands and biking and hiking trails. There are more than 4,000 acres of park and recreation lands in the nearby area. The city also maintains a racquet and pool club. The city’s Recreation and Parks Department offers many facilities for all ages. http://www.ci.palm-coast.fl.us/Government/Departments/Recreation/

There is outstanding access for boaters and many residents can keep their boats at the dock adjacent to their own back yard. Mile after mile of sand beaches are within easy reach. Flagler County also supports trail riding, including a unique bridge that spans Interstate 95 for use by hikers and equestrians. It links to the Florida Museum lands and those of the Pellicer Creek Corridor. There is also an arena at the Pellicer Community Center. http://www.flaglerparks.com/home.htm

The Daytona Cubs are the Chicago Cubs’ Class A affiliate. Home games are played from April to September. Stan Musial played his minor league ball here. The team plays in a 4,500-seat stadium, which is also home to Bethune-Cookman and Florida All-State College Baseball Jamboree which brings in some of the nation’s top collegiate teams. http://www.daytonacubs.com/

Education

Flagler College, founded in 1968 and named for one of St. Augustine’s best known citizens, is a liberal arts college located in the historic district of the city. It has an enrollment of about 2,000 students and offers degree in 20 majors. http://www.flagler.edu/

Daytona Community College is a two-year institution with an enrollment of more than 18,500 college and vocational credit students. There are 13,000 adult and continuing education students. http://www.dbcc.cc.fl.us/

Bethune-Cookman College at Daytona is an historically black college. It is a private institution, affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school’s main campus consists of 33 buildings and 60 acres of park-like land. http://www.cookman.edu/

Stetson University, located in Deland (46 miles away), is a private four-year institution serving approximately 2,300 students. It offers major programs in business, social sciences, recreation and fitness, education and psychology. http://www.stetson.edu/home/

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the world’s largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace higher education. It serves more than 4,800 undergraduate and graduate students. http://www.embryriddle.com/

Daytona Community College enrolls more than 13,000 adults and continuing education students annually. http://www.dbcc.cc.fl.us/

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